Airplane cabin environment management

Abstract

A system has a power source connected to power access points and at least one environmental control system. A threshold compare device is effective to compare the proportional load on the environmental control systems to a preset threshold. If the threshold is exceeded, unused power access points are disabled. This prevents such access points from placing additional loads on the environmental control systems. Conversely, when the proportional load on the environmental control systems drops below a preset threshold, power can be restored to the disabled power access points. A master control unit can monitor the load on the environmental control systems and either or both the environmental conditions in environment zones or the power loading of the power access points and determine whether to disable unused power outlets.

We claim: 
     
       1. A system, comprising:
 a power source; 
 a plurality of power access points and at least one environmental control system both connected to said power source; 
 wherein the environmental control system is configured to control temperature; 
 a threshold compare device effective to compare a proportional load on said environmental control system to a preset threshold and create a disable signal if said proportional load exceeds said preset threshold; and 
 a sub-system effective to disable ones of said plurality of power access points not in use in response to said disable signal. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said threshold compare device is effective to create an enable signal if said proportional load drops below said preset threshold; and
 said sub-system is effective to enable said disabled power access points in response to said enable signal. 
 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1  wherein said power source is a generator driven by an aircraft engine. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1  wherein said at least one environmental control system is two environmental control systems. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1  wherein said power access points are consumer electrical outlets. 
     
     
       6. A method to manage the load on one or more environmental control systems, comprising the steps of:
 providing power from a power source to a plurality of power access points and to at least one of said environmental control systems; 
 wherein the environmental control systems are configured to control temperature; 
 comparing a proportional load on said environmental control system to a preset threshold; and 
 disabling ones of said plurality of power access points not in use if said proportional load exceeds said preset threshold. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6  wherein the step of providing power from a power source is accomplished using a generator driven by an aircraft engine. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6  wherein said power access points are consumer electrical outlets. 
     
     
       9. A load distribution and management system (LDMS), comprising:
 a power source; 
 a plurality of power access points connected to said power source; 
 at least one environmental control system connected to said power source that is under a proportional load and configured to control temperature; 
 a device effective to take an environmental condition measurement of at least one environmental condition of an environment; 
 said environmental condition measurement having a corresponding preset threshold; 
 a master control unit capable of monitoring statuses including said environmental condition measurement and comparing said status to its said corresponding preset threshold and creating a disable signal if said compared status is equal to or exceeds its said corresponding preset threshold; and 
 a sub-system effective to disable said ones of said plurality of power access points not in use in response to said disable signal. 
 
     
     
       10. The LDMS of  claim 9  wherein said environment is a substantially enclosed environment. 
     
     
       11. The LDMS of  claim 10  wherein said substantially enclosed environment-contains at least two zones and said environmental conditions are the temperatures of said zones. 
     
     
       12. The LDMS of  claim 9  wherein said at least one environmental control system is two environmental control systems. 
     
     
       13. A method to manage a load distribution, comprising the steps of:
 providing power from a power source to a plurality of power access points and to at least one environmental control system under a proportional load and configured to control temperature; 
 measuring using a sensor at least one environmental condition of an environment; 
 monitoring statuses of said proportional load and said environmental condition; 
 comparing at least one said monitored status to a corresponding preset threshold; and 
 disabling ones of said plurality of power access points not in use if said monitored status is equal to or exceeds said corresponding preset threshold. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13  wherein said environment is a substantially enclosed environment having at least one zone and said environmental conditions are the temperatures of said zones. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13  wherein the step of providing power is accomplished using a generator driven by an aircraft engine. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 13  wherein said power access points are consumer electrical outlets.